Green Tea May Help Patients With Rare Bone-Marrow Disease

Green tea is that health benefiting potion that fights a host of diseases. It is easily available in the market and is fuss-free to prepare at home. Regular green tea consumption has been tied to a host of health benefits. It is known to help the body flush out toxins and promote healthy hair and skin. Stephanie Watson of Harvard Women’s Health Watch explains how regular consumption of green tea can lower the risk of cardiovascular ailments including heart attack and stroke. Green tea is power-packed with natural agents like catechins, polyphenols and antioxidants that help shield the body against different types of cancers, strengthen immunity, facilitate weight loss as well as help maintain healthy bones. A recent study furthers its health benefits to those suffering from bone marrow disorders. The study was published in ‘Biological Chemistry’ and suggests that a compound found in green tea may benefit people suffering from bone marrow disorders like multiple myeloma and amyloidosis.

The American Cancer Society describes multiple myeloma as a type of cancer, “formed by malignant plasma cells. Normal plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and are an important part of the immune system”. Amyloidosis, on the other hand, is a rare disease. It occurs when a protein – which is produced in bone borrow – starts building up in the organs. Researchers at the Washington University have found that a polyphenol called epigallocatechine-3-gallate (EGCG) found in green tea can benefit patients suffering from Amyloidosis and multiple myeloma.

“The team first isolated individual light chains from nine patients with bone marrow disorders that caused multiple myeloma or amyloidosis and then ran lab experiments to determine how the green tea compound affected the light chain protein,” reported ANI.

It was found that the polyphenol found in green tea prevents “light chain amyloid” from further accumulating or multiplying.
[“source-ndtv”]